Dater Montessori School creates Black History Month Hidden Figures Scavenger Hunt
A principal decided his school needed to elevate its Black History Month engagement. The result created an opportunity for the students and the general public to interact and learn about prominent Black figures.
A principal decided his school needed to elevate its Black History Month engagement. The result created an opportunity for the students and the general public to interact and learn about prominent Black figures.
A principal decided his school needed to elevate its Black History Month engagement. The result created an opportunity for the students and the general public to interact and learn about prominent Black figures.
When it comes to teaching about Black History Month, one Cincinnati public school decided it was time for an upgrade.
Dater Montessori School principal Tony Greco knew he wanted to elevate his students' experience.
"We want them to see themselves in the celebrations that we're doing. So what better way to do it is for Black History Month," Greco said. "So not only are students learning about different figures, but they're also taking a deep dive on figures in America that we don't really talk about."
Greco's new vehicle for inspiration and education is thanks to one of his assistant principals, Mark Gumm. He decided to create a . The hunt is a quiz that comes in the form of 30 questions hidden throughout the school. Participants scan a QR code, matching the link above, and filled out each answer to learn about 30 different prominent figures, who are highlighted with facts and photos, including Coretta Scott King, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Elijah Muhammad, Desmund Tutu William D. Davis.
Gumm says his goal is to inspire students to see themselves as part of history and to encourage everyone to see a different way to learn more about Black History Month.
Gumm said his hope is the scavenger hunt would be a starting point.
"That they would expand their research and then actually get out into the community and see themselves and the work that they want to do, that they can be inspired to do the work and to do something better," Gumm said. "No matter your walk of life, with the right tools and just a little bit of love, you can be inspired to do amazing things, and then there's nothing that can't stop you."
Watch the video above to see what a student thought of the scavenger hunt.
Greco plans on expanding the scavenger hunt next year to include Women's History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc.
If you would like to participate in the month-long scavenger hunt and are not a Dater student, contact the school to set up a time for a student-led tour.
Those who correctly answer all 30 questions in the quiz can receive a candy prize, but Greco says the real prize is expanded education and celebration of culture.